Rotary multiple-cylinder internal-combustion engine.



- J. A. WALTMAN. I ROTARY MULTIPLE GYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. 975,485.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.26, 1910.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

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ROTARY MULTIPLE OYLINDEB. INTERNAL COMBUSTION BNGH IB.

Patented NOV. 15, 1910.-

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APPLICATION FILED JAN.2B, 1910.

J. A. WALTMAN. ROTARY MULTIPLE CYLINDER INTERNAL oomnusnon ENGINE. 975,485,

APPLICATION FILED 3111.26, 1910. Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

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J. A. WALTMAN. ROTARY MULTIPLE CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APBLIUATIQN FILED JAN.26, 1910. Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

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UNlTED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

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ROTARY alumina-CYLINDER r'n'rnnnan-oomnus'rron ENGINE.

- Specification of Letters ratent.

' Application filed January 26, 1910. Serial No. 540,199.

V To all whom it mag concern:

' the'provision of an internal combustion en gin'e of novel construction which is particularly adapted to be carried by a traction wheel for use with vehicles of all kinds, although also-intended for use as a self-contained rotary internal combustion engine.

The invention contemplates the provision of a novel self-contained internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, gears, brakes, va v emotions and controls, and other features combined in a new man-' ner, providing an internal combustion engine which can be started, stopped, and reversed by the same controlling lever or its equivalent," which has its power pulley or traction wheel so that it is adapted for use as a self-contained driving tractive wheel for vehicles, or as a self-contained driving rotary engine.

In another aspect, the invention contemplates the provision of one or more, preferably a plurality, of self-contained rotary internal combustion engines adapted to turn a power shaft, having automatic governor controlled clutch devices, whereby the driving of the shaft from the different engines may be controlled and which permits any one of the engines being unclutched, from the shaft when under full speed, without injury or disturbing the remaining engines, thereby speciallyadapting the invention to ropeller shafts as any number of engines may thus be used in connection with the same shaft and the power applied .thereto instantly regulated as may be found necessary.

Certain embodiments of the invent-ion are set forth hereinafter and in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section on line w-m' of Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a vertical section.

taken generally on the line w -w of Fig. 1, but showingthe right hand set of cylinders and pistons of Fig. 1 broken away. Fig. 3,

evation, partly in section and broken detaii away, looking toward the left of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a vertical section on line w-a2* of .Fig. 3 with the timer. and certain parts omitted; Fig. 5, a section on line w -w of Fig. 1, showing the valve gear; Fig. 6, a section on Y line ww" of Fig. 2; Fig. 7, a detail view of a partof 6; Fig. 8, a diagram of the s arking and timer circuits; Fig. 9, a detail view showing how the timer. is mounted on the shell or casing; Fig. 10, a view of a -modification showin how a plurality of the engines can be app ied to the same power shaft such as a propeller shaft; Fig. 11, a

section on ine 11'-11 of Fig. 10;'and Fig. 12, an enlarged detail section on line 12 12 of Fig. 10.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.:

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

the invention is shown as adapted for use as a self-contained traction wheel for vehicles, but 1t will be understood that it is, as illustrated, just as well adapted for use as a selfcontained rotary engine, serving as its own pulley. I I

. The shell or casing is composed of a tread or pulle part 1 and side plates 2 and 3', all suita ly fastened together at 4, affording convenience of access to the interior mechanism. Any suitable tire or facing maybe applied to the part 1 or to any extension thereof.

The entire motor structure revolves .on a, preferably, stationary shaft or axle 5 which has a conduit 6 for the admission of the gasolene and air mixture which passes into intake pipes or channels 7 cast integral with or'carried by the face plate 2, while exhaust pipes 7 and 8 being connected to short pipes 7 apd 8 leading to the controlling valves "by pipe couplings 9 and 10, and ad acent to these couplings, the plate 2 is provided with hand holes 11 having suitable covering plates 12 so that the couplings 9 and 10 can be readily detached prior to disconnection of the face plate 2 when access to the cylinders is necessary. Keyed on the shaft 5 is a plate or disk 13, and there is loosely mounted on said shaft an external gear 14 to which is keyed at 15 a friction brake disk 16,- around which is a friction strap 17, which is controlledbyan eccentric tightener having an arm 19. Loose on the hub of .the gearv 14 isan internal gear 20 which on one side is prois shifte is a rocker 26 having arms 27 at its opposite sides which are respectively connected by rods 28 to the arms 23 so that whichever way the rocket 26 may be turned, the cams 22 will be simultaneously operated. When the rocker is in the position shown by full lines in Fig. 6, the friction straps 24 are loose, but when turned to. the dotted line position of Fi 6, and the full line position of Fig. 7, the/ riction straps or bands 24 are extended into firm contact with the friction flange 21 so that the disk 13 and the internal gear 20 are in effect one. One of the arms 27 is also connected to the arm 19 by a rod 29. The rocker 26 has an arm 30 which is connected by a rod 31 to any suitable'controlling lever. When the controlling lever is in a position where the rocker 26 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the strap 24 is loose and the strap 17 is tight so that the operation of the engines will cause the shell or casing 1 to run in one direction as will presently a pear. When the lever ted line position of Fig. 6 and the full line position of Fig. 7, the stra 24' is tightened and the strap 17 is loosened tion of the engine causes the shell or casing 1 to revolve in theopposite direction. lVhen the controlling lever is so positioned that the rocker 26 will assume a position intermediate its two former ositions, both the straps 17 and 24 will be oose and the shell or casing will remain stationary.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 5 is a s ider 32 (Figs. land 5) towhich are bolte the sets of cylinders 33, which in turn are enaged with the shell or casing 1 at 34, and t us the-spider, the cylinders, and the shell or casing always rotate together. The pistons 35 are connected in airs by yokes 36 which contain sliding crosseads 37 on cranks 38 journaled in frame-parts 39 and carrying pinions 40, which mesh with 'boththe gears -14' and 20. Each pair of" cylinders 33 is provided with a common explosion chamber. 41 (Figs. 1 and 5) to which the intake and exhaust pi es 7 and 8" lead, but are con-.

trolled by intake and exhaust valves 42 and 43.. 5; The stems 44 of the. valves 42 are provided with rol1ers45 engaging with one side to bring t e rocker 26 to the dot-.

so that the moof a cam 46 secured to the face of the gear 14. The stems 47 of the valves 43 operate in connection with levers 48 which are moved by stems 49 carrying rollers 50, which cooperate with the other side of the cam 46. The cam profiles are so constructed, as shown in Fig. 1, that two of the cylinders are receiving their charge while in another pair the charge is being com ressed, in a succeeding air it is being ex oded, and in the final pair, the products 0 the explosion are being exhausted. Each explosion chambr 41 is provided with'a spar ter 51.

As shown in Fi s. 3 and 4, the electric conductor 52 exten s through the conduit 6 and out through the end thereof, insulated therefrom, being there provided with a metal collector 53 which is enga ed by a roller brush 54 carried by insulation 55 on the face plate 2 and from which a'circuit wire 56 leads to the metal center 57 .of a

.timer (Figs. 3 and 8) whose collectors or brushes 58 are connected by circuit wires 59 to the different spark plugs 51 As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the metal center 57 is secured to, but insulated from, a gear 60. which is driven by the engine shafts 38. v

The general operation is as follows: The asolene charge entering through-the conduit 6 of stationary shaft 5, isfed to the different explosion chambers41 by theintakes 7. At the proper time, the timer causes the spark to pass at the given spark plug and the charge is-exploded, the intake and exhaust valves 42 and 43 being timed in their operations by the cam 46. While one set of cylinders is being charged, another set is compressing the chargeand the succeedin set is receivin the exploded charge to drive the pistons t ereof, which in turn, ro-

tate the fpinions 40 and, accordin to the position o the controlling lever, t e shell or casing 1 is stationary, rotates forward or backwardly. The next set of cylinders 18 at the same time exhausting The disk 13 be. ing always stationary, 1f the controllinglever is moved so that the strap 24 is thrown against; the friction flan e 21,.the otherwise loose internal gear 20 is a so made stationary so that the action of the pinions 40 on sa d a pinion 61 on one of internal gear 20 causes the shell or casing 1 4 to revolve-in one direction. On the othand, if the controlling lever is shifted so that the strap17 is tightened on the disk 16, the said disk bein coupled to the gear 14,

the gear 14 is hel stationary with the disk and the rotation of the pinions 40 causes the shell or casing I to revolve in the Op site direction. If both of the straps 17 and 24 are loose, the gears-14 and 26 arerevolved idly by' the engine and there isno forward or reverse movement whatever of theshell or casing 1.

Referring to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, I have I plurality of the engines here shown how a can be used to collectively orv individually drive a power shaft, particularly a pro eller shaft 62. The respective engines are 3 own at 63, 64 and 65, each having a rotary outer shell or casin 1 which is loosely mounted on ,the shaft 62, ut to which is secured a sleeve I 66. A stationary head 64 loosely surrounds the sleeve 66 and is provided with intake and contacts, whereby the spark timer.

. ters Patent, is

exhaust pi cs 75 and 76 which communicate with circu ar channels 77 and 78 in the head 74, whichin turn always communicate with the sets of intake and exhaust pipes of the different cylinders so that at all times the cylinders can receive the explosive mixture or exhaust the exploded charge. The shelll carries a collector ring' '79 with which a brush or collector 80 secured to the head 74 the current is supplied to A brake-shoe 81 operated by a suitable lever 82, is adapted to bear upon the sleeve 73 and force it to one side and thereby, through the links 72, draw the governor arms 70 together and release the friction strap 69 from the disk 68. In thisform of the invention, the operation of the engines is as previously described. Assuming that the shell 1 is in rotation in either direction, the shell 67 is turning with it and the centrifugal action throws out the governor arm 70, thereby causing the friction strap 69 to engage the friction disk 68 to impart motion to the shaft 62 and the faster the engine rotates, the reater is the frictional engagement. Eac of me en 'nes 63, 64 and is susceptible of indepen ent control so that as many of these engines as desired maybe maderto operate on the shaft 62, butiffor any cause it is desired to cut out any engine, the same can be stop ed, although an immediate release can be ootained by applying the brake-shoe 81 to thereby release the friction strap 69 from the disk 68, this being possible at full speed.

Having thus described my invention, ,what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Let- 1. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, a motor carried by the wheel, a pinion meshing with said .concentricgears and operated b the motor, and operable means for holding either of tion. 1

said concentric gears against rota- ,motors.

2. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, operable means for holding either of said'concentric gears against rotation, a plurality of cylinders carried by said wheel, a plurality of pistons for said cylinders, and a plurality of pinions carried by the wheel and engaged with the gears and operated by the respective pistons.

3. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation inde endently of each other and independently o the wheel, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, a pluralit. of cylinders carried by said Wheel, a plura ity of pistons for said cylinders, a plurality of pinions carried by the frame and engaged with the gears and operated by the respective cyl- .trolling'the admission and exhaust of the motive fluid pressure to saidcylinders.

LIn an engine, the combination with arotary wheel, of for rotation inde endently of each other and independently o the wheel, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, a motor carried by the wheel,. a pinion enga ed with the gears aforesaid, a cam, valve mechanism operated by the cam controllin the supply and exhaust for the motor a oresaid, and a source of motive .fluid pressure 'supply for the motor.

5. In an engine, the rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, a plurality of motors carried by the wheel, a plurality of pinions carried by the wheel and engaged with the gears aforesaid and operated by the respective motors,supply and exhaust valve gear for the respective motors, camsv for operating the valve gear in sets, and a source 0 motive fluid pressure supply leading to the respective motors.

6. In an engine, the combination witha rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation inde endently of each other and independently or the wheel, operable means combination with a concentric gears mounted for holding eitherv of said concentric gears and exhaust for the motors, an a source of motive fluid supply for the respective 13o 7. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation inde endently of each other and independently of the wheel, braking devices for the respective gears, means for simultaneously operatin said braking devices to hold either one 0% the gears stationary or to release both of them so that they will run free, a motor carried by the wheel, a pinion engaged with the gears aforesaid and operated by the motor, and means for operating the motor. 8. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, inde endent frictlon strap brakes for the said gears, means for simultaneously operating said strap brakes to hold either of the gears stationary or to release both of them so that they will runfree, a motor carried by the wheel, a inion meshin with the concentric gears an operated by t e motor, and means for operating the motor.

9. In an engine, the combinationv with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted engines carried by the wheel, each engine for rotation inde endently of each other and independently oi the wheel, friction strap brakes for the respective gears, a rocker having operative connections to the respective strap brakes, and means for moving the rocker, said rocker and connections being so arranged that either of the strap brakes may be applied to hold either gear stationary or both may be released to allow the gears to run free, a motor carried by the wheel, and means for operating the motor.

10. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation inde endently of each other and independently of the wheel, a plurality of engines carried b the wheel and arranged with their cylin ers grouped and fed in pairs from the same source, valve gear for the respective groupings so that connected cylinders are simultaneously fed or exhausted, pinions operated by the respective engines and meshing with the concentric gears, and operable means for holding either of said concentric gears againstrotation.

, 11. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation inde endently of each other and independently oi the wheel, a plurality of being composed of a plurality of cylin ers, connected pistons working in the cylinders of each engine, pinions meshing with the concentric gears and operated b the respective connected pistons, a valve c est connecting a cylinder of each engine with the corresponding cylinder of another engine of the set, valve gear for each connected set of cylinders for simultaneously controlling the supply .and exhaust therefor, means for opcrating said valve gear, and operable means for holding either of the concentric gears against rotation.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotatlon independently of each other and independently of the wheel, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, a plurality of internal combustion engines carried by the wheel, each of said engines being composed of a plurality of cylinders, the difl'erent engines being arranged so that corresponding cylinders have a common explosion chamber, charge exploding means for each ex losion chamber, intake and exhaust pipes or each explosion chamber, means for supplying the gasolene charge to the said explosion chambers, independent intake and exhaust valves for each explosion chamber, a cam device carried by one of said gears and adapted for operating said valves, coupled pistons operating in the cylinders of each engine, and meshin with the gears aforesaid. and operated by te respective coupled pistons.

13. In an en 'ne, the combination with a power shaft, 0 a plurality of engines each composed of a rotary wheel, concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, a motor, a pinion meshin with said concentric gears, and operated y the motor, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, and independent clutches for connecting and disconnecting the respective engines to the said power shaft.

14. In an engine, the combination with a power shaft, of a plurality of engines each composed of a rotary wheel, concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, a motor carried by the wheel, a pinion meshing with said concentric gears and operated b the motor, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears a power shaft, of a plurality of engines eachcomposed of a rotary wheel, concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the Wheel, a motor carried by the wheel, a pinion meshing with said concentric gears and operated by the motor, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, independent automatic governor controlled clutches for coupling the respective engines to the shaft when they are in motion, and braking devices for the respective clutches for releasing them from the shaft independently of the control of the engines themselves.

16. In an engine, the combination with a rotary Wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independentlylof the Wheel, a motor, a pinion meshing with said concentric gears and operated by the motor, and operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation.

17. In an engine, the combination with a rotary wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, an en ine comprising a plurality of cylinders and a plurallty of pistons for said cylinders, and a plurality of pinions engaged with the gears and operated by the respective,pis'tons.

18. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination with a rotary Wheel, of concentric gears mounted for rotation independently of each other and independently of the wheel, an internal combustion engine, a pinion meshing with said concentric gears and operated by the engine, operable means for holding either of said concentric gears against rotation, a timer rota-table with the wheel and operated by the engine, a sparker for the engine which is controlled by the timer, and a collector includedsin the electric circuit of the timer, said collector having one of its parts carried by the wheel and its other part stationary.

In testimonywhereof, I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN A. WALTMAN.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. SHIELD, 6120. N. HAMLIN. 

